Softball: Butler gives it their all in MCT final

The Butler offense scored their only run of the game in the bottom of the first on Thursday on an RBI single by Aleks Apkarian.

ROCKAWAY – As the Butler softball team took the field in the Morris County Championship game on Thursday night the lights had never shined brighter on the Bulldogs.

In contrast to the Bulldogs, who were making their first appearance in the county finals, were the Morris Knolls Golden Eagles who lined up on in the other dugout with four county titles already to their school’s credit.

Butler also had to deal with the fact that although they were the higher seed the game was virtually a home game for Morris Knolls. The game which was played at Peterson Field in Rockaway is a three mile bus trip for the Golden Eagles while Butler had to travel more then 20 miles to get to the game.

Despite the fact that they were playing on the biggest stage in the program’s history the Bulldogs refused to show any fear as they stayed right with Morris Knolls for the entire championship game on Thursday.

In the end the Butler girls came up on the wrong side of a 3-1 score but they have no reason to hang their heads according to their coach Brittany Marion.

"We played a fantastic game and they have nothing to be upset about," said Marion. "I know that they wanted to win and so did I but we made it here. We have so much a head of us."

The top of the first of the championship game seemed to last an eternity as two brief ran delays, two walks and a hit batter kept Morris Knolls at the plate but Butler sophomore Larissa Spellman escaped the bases loaded jam without giving up a run.

In the bottom of the first Butler would quickly get on the board. Allie Spellman led off with a triple down the right field line and the senior second baseman scored two batters later when Aleks Apkarian singled up the middle to give Butler the lead.

Morris Knolls tied the game in the top of the second and then took the lead for good an inning later when two Butler errors led to an unearned run.

The Golden Eagles tacked on another unearned run in the top of the sixth to make the score 3-1 but even then Butler would not quit.

Two Morris Knolls errors put Butler runners on first and second with one out when Apkarian came to the plate in the bottom of the sixth.

The sophomore shortstop lined what seemed destined to be a game tying double to the right centerfield gap but Marina Castelluzzo made a spectacular catch to silence the rally.

Butler would again put two runners on in the bottom of the seventh but again they were unable to score as the game ended with Morris Knolls on top 3-1.

After briefly agonizing over the defeat the Butler girls seemed to appreciate what they had accomplished.

"There were some tears but they are now smiling and laughing. They are still a family and they will work together," said Marion. "They are a great team."

The Bulldogs can smile knowing that they still have a lot to play for. A conference title is still within their reach and they were scheduled to start the North I, Group 1 sectional tournament, where they are the top seed, yesterday against Bogota.

"I am so proud of them, they work so hard, every single one of them. My seniors, juniors, sophomores and freshman they all work hard and I see more good things to come in the next couple of weeks," said Marion.

While the team is focused on what is ahead of them in 2014 Marion admitted to already thinking ahead about a return trip to the MCT finals in 2015.

"Now that I have had the experience I am hungry and I want it again. I hope we are back here again next year and I plan on it," said Marion.